Each has the same objective, an end to the upward spiral of homicides in Stockton.

"My goal is for all the organizations to come together as one to stop the violence," said Moore, 53, at the start of Saturday's We Are Family-sponsored Peace Picnic at Oak Park. "It's time for all the families to get together a put a stop to all this.

"It's going to be done. We can calm it down. God's got my back. I have a strong faith."

Moore founded a group known as Communities Standing Together. It recently merged with Friends 'n' Families, which was created four years ago by her brother, Herman Foxx Jr. of Stockton.

The new organization is known as Families 'n' Friends Communities Standing Together.

Haley, 73, is retired from Unity Southern Baptist Church. He sat nearby on a bench. Picnic organizers had hoped for a huge turnout. About 100 people gathered. "If one person changes, it's worth it all," Haley said.

Lee was delivering the same message in song:

"Choose love. Love is real. Stay true, not fake."

Lee, a 38-year-old Stagg High School graduate and a part of Stockton's successful 1999 All-America bid, said he used to struggle with alcohol. Today, he's a tattoo artist "using the gifts God gave me."

The picnic area had signs on the giant Valley oak trees that surrounded the gathering point. One of them read: "We're not crips or bloods. We're family." Another said: "Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much."

The 67-year-old Hall, who organized the Peace Picnic, served Saturday as host and disc jockey. Hall said he was not disappointed in the turnout.

"Stockton is hurting right now," he said. "We're a city under siege. It's wrong when people are killing one another. This is a step."